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Thu, May 10, 07 at 23:36
| Hey gang,
I'm the proud new owner of a Eureka semi-dwarf lemon tree. I've noticed that something is eating holes in the leaves. I've posted pictures here and here. I'm pretty amateur at this, can anyone tell me what I should do to protect the tree? Oh, and is azalea fertilizer the right type of "acid fertilizer" for the tree? Thanks, jf |
Here is a link that might be useful: picture of damaged leaves
Follow-Up Postings:
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| They look like my DH has been shooting squirrels with the 410. LOL You should use a Citrus fertilizer because it will have all the needed nutrients. |
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- Posted by hopefulauthor z5IL (My Page) on Sun, May 13, 07 at 16:39
| Jeromy, it looks to me like some type of insect nibbling. I don't think a larger animal has decided it looked yummy simply because rips would be more prominent. First, I'd check for house plant insects..Do you know what to look for? It could also be some type of outside bug..I notice several bugs on plants while outdoors in summer including butterflys. LOL..Toni |
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| I spotted a ladybug on the tree the other day, perhaps that's the culprit. Thanks for the notes. |
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| Ladybugs don't eat plant material, so you're safe there. Remove the affected leaves. Inspect the underside of the leaves for small caterpillars, etc. A good time of day to 'catch' many critters at the dinner table is in the early evening. |
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- Posted by hopefulauthor z5IL (My Page) on Thu, May 24, 07 at 16:32
| Actually, ladybugs are good for plants..they eat different types of pests..Some people order ladybug eggs just for that purpose. Nope, not the ladybugs..Toni |
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| Something is eating mine too. Help me. We have had one lemon off of the tree in 1 yr. It is growing, but that's about it. And something likes the new growth. See pictures. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Pic of the leaves
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- Posted by aesir22 (aesir22@hotmail.com) on Sun, Nov 16, 08 at 16:28
| Wow, something really likes the taste of your citrus! There is citrus leaf miner evidence in the pic, but I don't think they would account for such damage! |
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- Posted by gatormomx2 9 westvolusiafl (My Page) on Mon, Nov 17, 08 at 6:59
| Could be grasshoppers or katydids . Both are aggressive chewers . Monitor your plants and see if you can catch the culprits in the act . Not much else to do other than look for eggs and larvae and eliminate then. Citrus trees require 17 elements - N , P , K and 14 trace . |
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- Posted by orchidguyftl z10 FTL FL (My Page) on Mon, Nov 17, 08 at 12:29
| depending upon where you live, if your plants are indoor or outdoor. Mine get an ocassional Black Swallowtail visit my citrus. They lay a few eggs ant the caterpillars look like bird droppings, so unless you know what you're looking for, might be hard to see or notice. Do a check online for black swallowtail caterpillars and see what they look like the other guess would be snails or slugs, but you should see a mucous trail if it were them |
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- Posted by hopefulauthor z5IL (My Page) on Sun, Nov 23, 08 at 13:56
| Orchidguy, you're not poking fun. For the last 3 days and 4 nights, a caterpillar has been living in our sink. lol Thurs night, I was inspecting plants when I noticed a 'leafless' Crown of Thorns. Well, there were 4 remaining leaves. I checked the soil, which was quite dry, but succulent soil has to dry in winter. The suc went to the sink, got a hosing, when suddenly the branches started shaking. On closer inspection, lying on a stem was a 4" gray/brown caterpilla,. It ate 99% of the Euphorbia leaves..all that's left are bare stems and four, tiny leaves. How one caterpillar could do such damage is beyond me. The Crown was full of leaves, compact. I don't know if the 'pillar will survive. We have a shortage of butterflies as it is, and I don't want to be labled the woman who killed one the last around. Even though my suc might be dead, it's difficult ridding the pillar. BTW, I don't think this caterpillar is a native of IL. IT was probably shipped from Fl or Ca via shipping. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks, Toni PS, I've ;lacedarious leavesin his blwe. Toni |
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